Desenvolupament d'una plataforma BIM per a la generació semiautomàtica i paramètrica de models estructurals en edificació

Abstract

This Bachelor’s Thesis presents the development of an innovative interoperability platform between BIM (Building Information Modeling) and FEM (Finite Element Method) environments, specifically designed for the semi-automatic and parametric generation of structural models in industrial construction based on open-source tools. This project focuses on developing a direct method to connect CAD, BIM, and FEM environments, aiming to streamline the structural analysis process. Instead of traditional, manual data transfers that often lead to errors and duplicated work, this research implements a Python-based automation within FreeCAD. This approach allows for the immediate generation of FEM models from BIM entities, enabling a parametric workflow where structural changes can be quickly analyzed and validated without rebuilding the model from scratch. The methodology is based on open-source tools and the integration of different programming environments. Through Python scripting, the project uses the FreeCAD API to automate parametric geometric modeling. A custom script was developed to extract structural metadata—including nodal coordinates, section properties, materials, and boundary conditions—generating the standardized input files (.inp) for the CalculiX solver. This workflow enables a direct transition from the visual BIM model to a functional finite element mesh, eliminating the need for manual data reentry or external intervention. The results obtained from the implemented workflow show a high level of consistency with established methods. By modeling and simulating several industrial structures, the data was compared against the commercial software ANSYS to verify its accuracy. The comparative analysis indicates that the custom tool provides results within an acceptable range of precision for both static and modal simulations. Additionally, adopting an open-source approach based on FreeCAD and CalculiX offers a viable alternative to commercial software, potentially reducing the reliance on expensive proprietary licenses in structural engineering environments. This work demonstrates that the integration of open-source tools like FreeCAD and CalculiX provides a robust, transparent, and highly customizable alternative for the digital transformation of the structural design process. The developed platform not only optimizes engineering workflows by reducing human error and modeling time but also promotes a more accessible and sustainable technological framework for small and medium-sized engineering firms.